Camouflaged hair fastener

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hair fastening device for styling hair and holding hair. Particularly, the hair fastening device includes a camouflaged hair fastener, including a body having a surface and an interior portion, a hair fastening mechanism coupled to at least one portion of the body, and a camouflaged layer applied to the surface of the body, the camouflaged layer is configured to decrease an appearance and visibility of the camouflaged hair fastener by attenuating and mitigating reflected light radiated from the surface of the body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hair fastening device for stylinghair and holding hair. Particularly, the hair fastening device includesa camouflaged layer applied to the hair fastening, making it lessvisible while worn and secured to the hair of a user.

BACKGROUND

Many type of hair fastener clips, including bobby pins, barrettes, jawclips, spring hair clips and other hair retaining devices, are availablein the prior art for use in styling and grooming hair of a user. Arecognized problem with hair clips are their styles and shapes thatoften may clash with the color or style of hair onto which it isapplied. In addition, several small hair clips or larger types of hairclips such as barrettes may visually detract from the user's hairappearance due to the size or number of hair clips applied to the hair.

Accordingly, there remains a need for hair fastener clips which lessvisually intrusive and may be concealed or hidden, providing a user anatural hair styling appearance.

SUMMARY

It is one advantage of the present invention to provide a camouflagedhair fastener, including a body having a surface and an interiorportion; a hair fastening mechanism coupled to at least one portion ofthe body; and a camouflaged layer coupled to the surface of the body,the camouflaged layer is configured to decrease an appearance andvisibility of the camouflaged hair fastener by attenuating andmitigating reflected light radiated from the surface of the body.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide acamouflaged hair fastener, having a body having a surface and aninterior portion; a hair fastening mechanism coupled to at least oneportion of the body; and a camouflaged adhesive layer coupled to thesurface of the body, the camouflaged adhesive layer is configured todecrease an appearance and visibility of the camouflaged hair fastenerby attenuating and mitigating reflected light radiated from the surfaceof the body.

In one embodiment, the camouflaged layer may include an anti-reflectivecoating. In another embodiment, the camouflaged hair fastener mayinclude a bobby pin, a barrette, a hair pin, a hair clip, a snap hairclip, or a jaw clip hair fastener.

In one aspect, the interior portion may be opaque. In another aspect,the interior portion may be transparent. In yet another aspect, ananti-glare paint may be applied between the camouflaged layer and thesurface of the body. In still yet another aspect, the camouflaged layermay be a matte layer.

In a first example, the camouflaged adhesive layer may include ananti-reflective coating disposed on a first side of the camouflagedadhesive layer and an adhesive layer disposed on a second side of thecamouflaged adhesive layer. In another example, the camouflaged hairfastener may include a barrette, a snap hair clip, or a jaw clip hairfastener.

In one configuration, the camouflaged adhesive layer may be shaped tomatch a portion of the barrette. In another configuration, thecamouflaged adhesive layer may be shaped to match a portion of the snaphair clip. In still another configuration, the camouflaged adhesivelayer may be shaped to match a portion of the jaw clip hair fastener.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention andfrom the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a common and simple hair fastener inthe form of a bobby pin.

FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views alongdashed line of the bobby pin.

FIG. 3A-FIG. 3C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of afirst camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4A-FIG. 4C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of asecond camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5A-FIG. 5C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of athird camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6A-FIG. 6C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of afourth camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of afifth camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8A-FIG. 8C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of asixth camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9A-FIG. 9D illustrate side views of various matte layers that maybe applied to the camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10A-FIG. 10D illustrate a seventh camouflaged hair fastener,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11A-FIG. 11C illustrate an eighth camouflaged hair fastener,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12A-FIG. 12C illustrate a ninth camouflaged hair fastener,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates cross-section view of a substrate may have ananti-reflective coating layer applied to the top surface of thesubstrate as shown.

FIG. 14 illustrates a user wearing a common hair fastener.

FIG. 15 illustrates a user wearing a camouflaged hair fastener, inaccordance to an embodiment.

In the appended figures, one or more elements may have the samereference numeral in different figures indicating previously described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a common and simple hair fastener inthe form of a bobby pin 100. The bobby pin may include a flexible rodunitary structure having a first arm or blade portion 101, a second armor ridge portion 103, and protection covers 105 a, 105 b, the first arm101 and second arm 103 coupled at a bent portion 107 of the bobby pin100, forming a slot (or eye) 109. In use, the lengthwise sections of thefirst arm 101 and the second arm or ridge portion 103 of the bobby pin100 are designed to contact each other through compressive forcesapplied via the bent portion 107, allowing the bobby pin 100 to stay ina closed position. In addition, the lengthwise sections of the first arm101 and the second arm or ridge portion 103 may be slightly separated bypulling one protection cover 105 a away from the other protection cover105 b, allowing the bobby pin 100 to be in an opened position forreceiving and securing strands of hair. The spaces in the ridge portion103 may allow extra hair to fit between the blade portion 101 and theridge portion 103, while the blade portion 101 (or flat side of thebobby pin 101) is meant to be applied and supported against the scalp.

FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C illustrate a side view (FIG. 2A) and cross-sectionalviews (FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C) along dashed line 111 of the bobby pin 100.In this example, the bobby pin 100 is generally formed as a unitarystructure having a single solid structure. This unitary structure mayhave an opaque surface and composed of various materials such as metals,plastics, wood, synthetic materials, composite materials, or acombination thereof. The cross-sectional view along dashed line 111illustrates an outer surface 112 and an opaque interior portion 113 ofthe bobby pin 100. In application, metals are generally the preferredand common type of materials used to construct the bobby pin 100 sincethey provide durability, flexibility and strength to retain and fastenlarge strands of hair.

FIG. 3A-FIG. 3C illustrate a side view (FIG. 3A) and cross-sectionalviews (FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C) of a first camouflaged hair fastener 201,according to an embodiment. In this implementation, the firstcamouflaged hair fastener 201 may include an anti-reflective coatinglayer 115 that is applied to the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener100 for eliminating and/or reducing light that is reflected by thesurface of the hair fastener, thereby making it less visible at plainsight when worn by a user. In this example, the hair fastener itself mayinclude the bobby pin 100 as previous described hereinabove. Severaltechniques for applying of the anti-reflective coating layer 115 ontothe hair fastener may include but is not limited to spraying, liquiddeposition, spin coating, vacuum deposition, or physical vapordeposition. In practice, each technique is intended to achieve a desiredthickness and uniform layer that is applied on the surface of the hairfastener in order to eliminate and/or reduce reflected light from thehair fastener. In other implementations, camouflaged hair fasteners mayinclude but is not limited to other types of hair fasteners such asbarrettes, hair pins, or hair clips.

FIG. 4A-FIG. 4C illustrate a side view (FIG. 4A) and cross-sectionalviews (FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C) of a second camouflaged hair fastener 202,according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the second camouflagedhair fastener 202 may include an anti-glare paint 117 that is applied tothe outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100 for further eliminatingand/or reducing light that is reflected by the surface of the hairfastener 202. In addition, the second camouflaged hair fastener 202 mayinclude the anti-reflective coating layer 115 that is further appliedonto an outer surface 114 of the anti-glare paint 117 as shown in FIG.4C.

FIG. 5A-FIG. 5C illustrate a side view (FIG. 5A) and cross-sectionalviews (FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C) of a third camouflaged hair fastener 203,according to an embodiment. In this example, the third camouflaged hairfastener 203 may include the anti-reflective coating layer 115 that isapplied to the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100 having atransparent or clear interior portion 113′. In application, thetransparent interior portion 113′ in combination with theanti-reflective coating layer 115 provides a non-reflective transparentcamouflaged to the hair fastener 203, making it nearly invisible atplain sight when worn by the user.

FIG. 6A-FIG. 6C illustrate a side view (FIG. 6A) and cross-sectionalviews (FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C) of a fourth camouflaged hair fastener 203,according to an embodiment. In this implementation, the fourthcamouflaged hair fastener 204 may include a camouflaged sleeve 119 thatis fitted and applied on the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100.In practice, the camouflaged sleeve 119 of the camouflaged hair fastener204 is configured to blend in with the surrounding hair of the user,providing a natural appearance and also making it less visible at plainsight when worn by the user. The sleeve 119 may be fabricated usingmaterials such as plastic, rubber, or composite material, conforming tothe outer structure of the hair fastener 100. In addition, the sleeve119 may be either transparent or opaque and have a smooth, patterned, ormatted surface.

FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C illustrate a side view (FIG. 7A) and cross-sectionalviews (FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C) of a fifth camouflaged hair fastener 205,according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the fifth camouflagedhair fastener 205 may include a matte layer 121 that is formed andapplied on the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100. The mattelayer 121 may include, for example, a surface that is matted, mottled,dulled, textured or includes any other types of non-smooth layers whichare configured to scatter or diffuse light. In practice, the matte layer121 of the camouflaged hair fastener 203 is configured to reducereflectivity on the surface and along sharp edges of the camouflagedhair fastener 203, making it less visible at plain sight when worn bythe user. The matte layer 121 may be fabricated using materials such asmetal, wood, plastic, rubber, synthetic material, composite material, ora combination thereof. In addition, the matte layer 121 may bestructured to be either transparent or opaque.

FIG. 8A-FIG. 8C illustrate a side view (FIG. 8A) and cross-sectionalviews (FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C) of a sixth camouflaged hair fastener 206,according to an embodiment. In this example, the sixth camouflaged hairfastener 206 may include the anti-reflective coating layer 115 appliedonto an outer surface 116 of the matte layer 121 which is formed andapplied on the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100. In practice,the anti-reflective coating layer 115 and the matte layer 121 arestructured to provide the appearance of a smooth surface, edges andcorners, while reducing the overall reflectance of the camouflaged hairfastener 206.

FIG. 9A-FIG. 9D illustrate side views of various matte layers 121 thatmay be applied to the camouflaged hair fastener, according to anembodiment. In FIG. 9A, for example, the matte layer 121 may includenon-uniform and non-linear grooves of various amplitudes forming a dullnon-reflective surface. In another example, the matte layer 121 mayinclude uneven sized particles scattered throughout the surface as shownin FIG. 9B. In yet another example, the matte layer 121 may include aseries of rectangular or saw-toothed grooves as shown in FIG. 9C andFIG. 9D, respectively.

FIG. 10A-FIG. 10D illustrate a seventh camouflaged hair fastener 207,where FIG. 10A illustrates a front perspective view of the hair fastener207, FIG. 10B illustrates a side view of the hair fastener 207, FIG. 10Cillustrates a top view of the hair fastener 207, and FIG. 10Dillustrates a cross-sectional view along dashed line 111′ of hairfastener 207, according to an embodiment. In this implementation, theseventh camouflaged hair fastener 207 may include a barrette 207′ havingan anti-reflective coating (ARC) tape 125 that is applied to an outersurface 118 of the barrette 207′. The ARC tape 125 may have an ARC side127 configured to attenuate and mitigate reflected light and an adhesiveside 129 that secures to the outer surface 118 of the barrette 207′. Inaddition, the ARC tape 125 may be shaped to match the entire top bandportion of the barrette 207′ in order to fully cover it, decreasingand/or reducing reflected light emitted by the top band portion of thebarrette 207′.

FIG. 11A-FIG. 11C illustrate an eighth camouflaged hair fastener 208,where FIG. 11A illustrates a front perspective view of the hair fastener208, FIG. 11B illustrates a top view of the hair fastener 208, and FIG.11C illustrates a cross-sectional view along dashed line 111′ of hairfastener 208, according to an embodiment. In this implementation, theeighth camouflaged hair fastener 208 may include a snap hair clip 208′having an anti-reflective coating (ARC) tape 131 that is applied to anouter surface 120 of the hair fastener 208. The ARC tape 131 may includean ARC layer 133 and an adhesive side 135, having a shape matching thetop band portion of the snap hair clip 208′.

FIG. 12A-FIG. 12C illustrate a ninth camouflaged hair fastener 209,where FIG. 12A illustrates a front perspective view of the hair fastener209, FIG. 12B illustrates a top view of the hair fastener 209, and FIG.12C illustrates a cross-sectional view along dashed line 111′ of hairfastener 209, according to an embodiment. In this implementation, theninth camouflaged hair fastener 209 may include a jaw clip hair fastener209′ having an anti-reflective coating (ARC) tape 141 that is applied toan outer surface 122 of the hair fastener 209. The ARC tape 141 mayinclude an ARC side 143 and an adhesive side 145, having a shapematching the top band portion of the jaw clip hair fastener 209′. Inanother embodiment, a matte layer (as previously described hereinabove)may be coupled to the adhesive side 135 with or with the ARC layer 133.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-section view of a substrate (Sub) having ananti-reflective coating layer (ARC) applied to the top surface of thesubstrate as shown. General properties of anti-reflective coatings onreflective substrates may be described in terms of light sources andreflections emitted by the substrate, including, for example, anincoming light Li, a surface reflection R1 stemming from a reflectedlight from the ARC Layer, and a rear reflection R2 stemming from areflection of inflected light from substrate Rs. Anti-reflectionfunction generally occurs through the offset of each wave of lights (R1and R2), resulting in destructive interference between the two reflectedbeams, and cancelling out both beams before they exit the top mostsurface. AR coatings are generally designed so that the relative phaseshift between the reflected waves of lights (R1 and R2) at the upper andlower boundaries of the ARC layer is 180°. In practice, the thickness ofthe ARC coating is made to be an odd integer multiple of lambda/4, wherelambda is the wavelength optimized in order to achieve the desired pathdifference of lambda/2 between the reflected beams, causing thecancellation of the beams.

FIG. 14 illustrates a user wearing a common hair fastener 100. In thisexample, the common hair fastener 100 as worn by the user is generallyvisible. Several numbers of hair fasteners worn can result in adetracting appearance.

FIG. 15 illustrates a user wearing a camouflaged hair fastener, inaccordance to an embodiment. As shown in this example, the camouflagedhair fastener is nearly invisible, blending in with hair strands of theuser. Many advantages of the camouflaged hair fastener may include 1)applies to any types and shapes of existing hair fasteners; 2) reducesand may eliminate reflection from the surface of various types hairfasteners; 3) blends in with hair; 4) can be applied to manyafter-market hair fastener products via custom cut hair clip ARC tape.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a”, “an”, and “the” included plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

All patents, patent applications, and other references cited herein areincorporated by reference in their entireties.

It is noted that the foregoing disclosure has been provided merely forthe purpose of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limitingof the present invention. Although the present invention has been shownand described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof,various changes, omissions, and additions to the form and detailthereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is understood that the words which have beenused herein are words of description and illustration, rather than wordsof limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appendedclaims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from thescope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects.

Other embodiments and modifications of the present invention may occurto those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings.Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claimswhich include all other such embodiments and modifications when viewedin conjunction with the above specifications and accompanying drawings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camouflaged hair fastener, comprising: a bodyhaving a surface and an interior portion; a hair fastening mechanismcoupled to at least one portion of the body; and a camouflaged layercoupled to the surface of the body, wherein the camouflaged layer isconfigured to decrease an appearance and visibility of the camouflagedhair fastener by attenuating and mitigating reflected light radiatedfrom the surface of the body.
 2. The camouflaged hair fastener of claim1, wherein the camouflaged layer includes an anti-reflective coating. 3.The camouflaged hair fastener claim 1, wherein the camouflaged hairfastener includes a bobby pin, a barrette, a hair pin, a hair clip, asnap hair clip, or a jaw clip hair fastener.
 4. The camouflaged hairfastener claim 1, wherein the interior portion is opaque.
 5. Thecamouflaged hair fastener claim 1, wherein the interior portion istransparent.
 6. The camouflaged hair fastener claim 1, wherein ananti-glare paint is applied between the camouflaged layer and thesurface of the body.
 7. The camouflaged hair fastener claim 1, whereinthe camouflaged layer is a matte layer.
 8. The camouflaged hair fastenerclaim 7, wherein an anti-reflective coating is applied to the mattelayer.
 9. The camouflaged hair fastener claim 7, wherein the body iscomposed of metal, plastic, wood, synthetic material, compositematerial, or a combination thereof.
 10. The camouflaged hair fastenerclaim 7, wherein the matte layer is composed of metal, wood, plastic,rubber, synthetic material, composite material, or a combinationthereof.
 11. The camouflaged hair fastener claim 7, wherein the mattelayer may include non-uniform and non-linear grooves of variousamplitudes forming a dull non-reflective surface.
 12. The camouflagedhair fastener of claim 1, wherein the camouflaged layer includes acamouflaged sleeve.
 13. The camouflaged hair fastener of claim 12,wherein the sleeve has a patterned or matted surface.
 14. A camouflagedhair fastener, comprising: a body having a surface and an interiorportion; a hair fastening mechanism coupled to at least one portion ofthe body; and a camouflaged adhesive layer coupled to the surface of thebody, wherein the camouflaged adhesive layer is configured to decreasean appearance and visibility of the camouflaged hair fastener byattenuating and mitigating reflected light radiated from the surface ofthe body.
 15. The camouflaged hair fastener claim 14, wherein the bodyis composed of metal, plastic, wood, synthetic material, compositematerial, or a combination thereof.
 16. The camouflaged hair fastener ofclaim 14, wherein the camouflaged adhesive layer includes ananti-reflective coating disposed on a first side of the camouflagedadhesive layer and an adhesive layer disposed on a second side of thecamouflaged adhesive layer.
 17. The camouflaged hair fastener claim 16,wherein the camouflaged hair fastener includes a barrette, snap hairclip, or a jaw clip hair fastener.
 18. The camouflaged hair fastenerclaim 17, wherein the camouflaged adhesive layer is shaped to match aportion of the barrette.
 19. The camouflaged hair fastener claim 17,wherein the camouflaged adhesive layer is shaped to match a portion ofthe snap hair clip.
 20. The camouflaged hair fastener claim 17, whereinthe camouflaged adhesive layer is shaped to match a portion of the jawclip hair fastener.